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[TECHNOLOGY] · United Kingdom · 6 sources

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University of Sheffield scientists recreate ancient Roman dichroic glass

Lycurgus Cup Roman glass nanotechnology University of Sheffield dichroic glass

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have successfully replicated the unique color-shifting properties of the Lycurgus Cup, a 1,600-year-old Roman masterpiece held in the British Museum. The cup exhibits a dichroic effect, appearing jade green under reflected light but transforming into a deep ruby red when illuminated from behind.

The breakthrough involved decoding an ancient recipe to embed gold and silver nanoparticles—each a thousand times smaller than a grain of sand—into molten glass. As the glass cooled from temperatures exceeding 1,000°C, these nanocrystals grew, allowing the material to interact with light in a way that blocks certain wavelengths while letting others pass through.

This achievement, described by technician Dr. Lisa Hollands as “magic,” follows previous attempts that met with limited success. The original 4th-century artifact features a mythological relief of King Lycurgus and was recognized in 2022 as one of the seven glass wonders of the world. Beyond archaeology, understanding this ancient nanotechnology may inform future research into photonic materials and advanced glass alloys.

Entities

British Museum · Caroline Jackson · Lisa Hollands · Lycurgus Cup · University of Sheffield

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Gas kilns provided better results for replication than modern electric furnaces. www.techgear.gr
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Scientists at the University of Sheffield successfully reproduced the optical properties of the 4th-century Lycurgus Cup. www.ethnos.gr · www.lifo.gr · www.techgear.gr
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The color change is caused by embedded gold and silver nanoparticles. www.ethnos.gr · www.lifo.gr · www.techgear.gr
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The understanding of this technique could assist in the safe management of radioactive waste. www.techgear.gr
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The Lycurgus Cup appears green under normal lighting and deep red when lit from behind. www.ethnos.gr · www.lifo.gr · www.techgear.gr
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Researchers heated materials to temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius to create the nanocrystals. www.ethnos.gr · www.lifo.gr · www.techgear.gr
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Artist Elliot Walker will present a new sculpture using this material at the Festival of the Mind in November 2026. www.techgear.gr

Sources

«Είναι μαγεία»: Οι επιστήμονες αναβιώνουν το μυστικό του ρωμαϊκού γυαλιού που αλλάζει χρώμα [www.ethnos.gr]
Archaeology breakthrough as scientists uncover secrets behind wondrous Roman creation [www.gbnews.com]
Oamenii de știință au reușit în sfârșit să reproducă o minune a antichității: „Pentru mine, este magie” [hotnews.ro]
Το μυστικό του Κυπέλλου του Λυκούργου: Επιστήμονες αναπαρήγαγαν ένα θαύμα της ρωμαϊκής υαλουργίας [www.lifo.gr]
‘It’s magic’: scientists rediscover how to make ancient Roman colour-changing glass [www.theguardian.com]
Επιστήμονες αναδημιούργησαν τη Ρωμαϊκή «νανοτεχνολογία» του Κυπέλλου του Λυκούργου μετά από 1600 χρόνια [www.techgear.gr]